Ruth1

During a famine in Bethlehem, Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons migrated to Moab. After Elimelech and both sons died, leaving Naomi a widow, she resolved to return to Judah. Though her daughter-in-law Orpah returned to her people, Ruth pledged unwavering loyalty to Naomi, her people, and her God. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest, where Naomi expressed her deep sorrow, asking to be called "Mara."

Elimelech's Family Migrates to Moab

1
Back in the days when the judges were judging, at a time when there was a famine in the land, a certain man from Beit-Lechem went to live in the territory of Mo'av - he, his wife and his two sons. ​
2
The man's name was Elimelekh, his wife's name was Na'omi, and his two sons were named Machlon and Kilyon; they were Efratim from Beit-Lechem in Y'hudah. They arrived in the plain of Mo'av and settled there. ​
3
Elimelekh, Na'omi's husband, died; and she was left, she and her two sons.
4
They took wives for themselves from the women of Mo'av; the name of the one was 'Orpah; and the name of the other was Rut. They lived there for about ten years.
5
Then Machlon and Kilyon died, both of them; and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband. ​

Naomi Urges Her Daughters-in-Law to Return

6
So she prepared to return with her daughters-in-law from the plain of Mo'av; for in the plain of Mo'av she had heard how ADONAI had paid attention to his people by giving them food. ​
7
She left the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law and took the road leading back to Y'hudah.
8
Na'omi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Each of you, go back to your mother's house. May ADONAI show grace to you, as you did to those who died and to me. ​
9
May ADONAI grant you security in the home of a new husband."Then she kissed them, but they began weeping aloud. ​
10
They said to her, "No; we want to return with you to your people."
11
Na'omi said, "Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb who could become your husbands? ​
12
Go back, my daughters; go your way; for I'm too old to have a husband. Even if I were to say, 'I still have hope'; even if I had a husband tonight and bore sons;
13
would you wait for them until they grew up? Would you refuse to marry, just for them? No, my daughters. On your behalf I feel very bitter that the hand of ADONAI has gone out against me." ​
14
Again they wept aloud. Then 'Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye. But Rut stuck with her.
15
She said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god; go back, after your sister-in-law." ​
16
But Rut said, "Don't press me to leave you and stop following you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. ​
17
Where you die, I will die; and there I will be buried. May ADONAI bring terrible curses on me, and worse ones as well, if anything but death separates you and me." ​
18
When Na'omi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

Naomi and Ruth Arrive in Bethlehem

19
So the two of them went on until they came to Beit-Lechem. When they arrived in Beit-Lechem, the whole city was stirred with excitement over them. The women asked, "Can this be Na'omi?" ​
20
"Don't call me Na'omi [pleasant]," she answered them; "call me Marah [bitter], because Shaddai has made my life very bitter. ​
21
I went out full, and ADONAI has brought me back empty. Why call me Na'omi? ADONAI has testified against me, Shaddai has afflicted me." ​
22
This is how Na'omi returned, with Rut the woman from Mo'av, her daughter-in-law, accompanying her from the plain of Mo'av. They arrived in Beit-Lechem at the beginning of the barley harvest. ​

Study Notes for Ruth 1

Verse 1

The phrase "in the days when the judges ruled" places the story in a time of spiritual and political instability (Judges 17:6). The move from Bethlehem (meaning “House of Bread”) to Moab, an enemy territory, highlights the desperation caused by the famine.

Verse 2

The family is identified as Ephrathites, indicating their established lineage in the Bethlehem area. The names Mahlon and Chilion may be descriptive, meaning 'Sickness' and 'Pining' respectively, perhaps foreshadowing their early demise.

Verse 5

The triple tragedy leaves Naomi entirely destitute. According to ancient customs, she is left without male heirs to protect her inheritance or ensure her economic survival, placing her in a precarious social position.

Verse 6

Naomi hears that YHWH (the LORD) has 'visited his people,' a theological term meaning God has acted redemptively, reversing the famine and providing sustenance in Judah, prompting her return.

Verse 8

Naomi blesses Orpah and Ruth, acknowledging that they had shown loyal love ('hesed') to the deceased and to her. She releases them from the obligation of staying with her, recognizing the difficulty of their future as foreign widows in Judah.

Verse 9

The 'rest' (Hebrew: *menuhah*) Naomi wishes for them refers primarily to security and stability, which in that culture was typically found through remarriage and establishing a new household.

Verse 11

Naomi explains the practical impossibility of the levirate law (Deuteronomy 25:5–10) applying. She has no sons, nor is she physically able to bear sons who could eventually marry them, thus freeing them from any legal obligation.

Verse 13

Naomi interprets her overwhelming suffering as the direct 'hand of the LORD' against her. This reflects a common ancient understanding that misfortune was divine judgment, framing her experience in terms of divine affliction.

Verse 15

Orpah’s decision to return to her people and 'her gods' highlights the radical nature of Ruth's subsequent commitment. Orpah chooses cultural and religious security over the uncertain path with Naomi.

Verse 16

Ruth's vow is the theological climax of the chapter, shifting the focus from familial loyalty to covenant commitment. Her declaration, 'thy God my God,' marks her conversion and full commitment to YHWH, the God of Israel.

Verse 17

The formal oath structure emphasizes the absolute, irrevocable nature of her commitment, binding her life to Naomi’s until death. This extreme loyalty ('hesed') defines Ruth's character throughout the book.

Verse 19

The town’s reaction shows how deeply the community felt the loss of Elimelech's family and how shocking Naomi’s appearance was after a decade of tragic hardship.

Verse 20

Naomi ('Pleasantness') demands to be called Mara ('Bitter'). This self-designation powerfully expresses her grief and her perception that God (Shaddai/Almighty) has actively afflicted her.

Verse 21

She contrasts her triumphant departure ('full'—with husband and sons) with her desolate return ('empty'). This lament frames her tragedy as a direct action of the LORD (Yahweh) and the Almighty (Shaddai).

Verse 22

The mention of Ruth as 'the Moabitess' reinforces her foreign origin, setting up the challenge of her integration into the community. Their arrival at the beginning of barley harvest signals a time of provision and potential hope.

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